Why did older cars have earth ground straps?

[A930Rocket]

How often did you need to replace the straps? I imagine they would wear out rather quickly.

With chains, I can imagine the POPO pulling you over for seeing sparks.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Many fires were started in dry areas from the sparks from the metal ground straps.

The only time I get shocked is getting out of my Velour seats in the El Camino. I learned long long ago too use the key I just pulled from the ignition to touch the door lock knob. The spark jumps from the key to the lock knob before I touch it. No more static and I feel no shock.

I have never felt a shock going to get in any vehicle.

Mix Downey softener 50/50 with water in a spray bottle and mist the seat covers a bit, no more static for a while

You can also grab a handful of Bounce dryer sheets (or similar) and wipe 'em down good with it, same effect.

[afterburn 549]

The straps if installed correctly only touch at very low speed.
At least that is how I remembered them back in the day,
They do not drag all the time.

[ard]

What does a rubber grounding strap do that 4 rubber tires in (mostly) continuous contact with the ground don't do?

[afterburn 549]

The ground straps are not just an insulating material, they have other properties built in that conduct electrical current.

[FPB111]

I worked at Hercules explosive company in Kenvil NJ at one time. When you hired on you got conductive shoes and a flame proof jump suit among other things.
The shoes had a lot of carbon black in the soles. I wore the shoes around the house ONCE. They left black stripes everywhere. After that they went in the car trunk before I left the parking lot.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I guess cops were very tender? and, why do they not use them nowadays?

Probably due to the additional electronics cars had, similar to static wicks on the trailing edge of certain aircraft wings.


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[bugstrider]

I wished I had them on my 95 K1500 when we visited my brother’s family while he was based at Ellsworth AFB in SD. Cloth seat and I swear that trip left me with an arrhythmia from all of the “zaps” I received.

Best one was the arc that jumped 6” to my fingers…

lol


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[Brian 162]

Originally Posted by bugstrider

I wished I had them on my 95 K1500 when we visited my brother’s family while he was based at Ellsworth AFB in SD. Cloth seat and I swear that trip left me with an arrhythmia from all of the “zaps” I received.

Best one was the arc that jumped 6” to my fingers…

lol


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I remember my mother’s 75 Dodge. Every time I was getting out of it I had to prepare for the shock. That car had vinyl seats. I hated that car.